One week until BowlQuest IX, finally taking a look at the strategy to actually try and watch all 39 games. Three days stand out as tough - day one, December 20th with five games over about 14 hours. December 27th with five games and January 2nd, a work day with four games.
By the way, for companies, this may be the worst holiday season for the ways the days fall. Christmas and New Years Day on Thursdays with work days on Fridays. While a lot of people will take a vacation day on December 26th, January 2nd is problematic - do people have to take a vacation day or go back to work? I doubt companies give this as a day off (mine doesn't) and who wants to burn a vacation day? Next year will be easy, Christmas and New Years Day on Fridays. As a manager, yahoo!
Okay, back to the games. First, the simple rules of BowlQuest for the uninitiated or if you forgot (how is that possible?). One, a live quarter of every game must be watched. Two, a proxy (one of my two sons) can watch a quarter if I cannot. That's it. Simple. Stupid, but simple.
One other thing we try to accomplish - try to catch a game at a sponsor location, most likely a restaurant. Best bet again this year is Buffalo Wild Wings although we could hit Outback.
Game previews, all times Eastern in case that matters to you.
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl - Dec. 20th 11am Nevada vs. Louisiana Lafayette
-Didn't see either one of these teams play this year. Nevada is in Reno, so that means an 8am kick off for fans watching at home. Hell, that's a 10am kick off local time in New Orleans. Jerk move, ESPN. I'll take the Ragin' Cajuns in a close to home game - after the game, fans can catch brunch at Brennan's, bananas foster, yes please.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl - Dec. 20th 2:20pm Utah State at UTEP
-Actually saw both of these teams play this season. I'll take Utah State as the Aggies are always pretty good although I'm a fan of the Miners helmets, great design.
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl - Dec. 20 3:30pm #22 Utah vs. Colorado State
-This is a really good match-up of teams you probably didn't watch play. Both schools have to be disappointed they're not in bigger games or that this game isn't in a more high profile day and time. I'll take Utah with Colorado State going through a coaching change, Jim McElwain leaving to take the Florida job.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Dec. 20 5:30pm Western Michigan vs. Air Force
-Spuddy Buddy!
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl - Dec. 20 9:15pm South Alabama vs. Bowling Green
-New bowl game, in beautiful Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. Did we need this game? No. Will anyone be in the stands at 9:15pm? Maybe some South Alabama fans, making the drive up from Mobile. This stinks of a one quarter and done game. South Alabama is the Jaguars, kind of a weird logo, like a cat coming out of a grapefruit.
Miami Beach Bowl - Dec. 22 2pm BYU vs. Memphis
-If you're off Christmas week and have nothing to do on a Monday afternoon, here you go. Nice season for Memphis, tough one for the Cougars who lost their starting QB early in the season. Winner could be a candidate for entry into the Big 12. Give me Memphis, nothing to back that up. This is another new bowl game, because Miami needed a game in the middle of a Monday afternoon. Here's the logo.
Boca Raton Bowl - Dec. 23 6pm Marshall vs. Northern Illinois
-What the ___? Boca Raton - isn't that where Jerry's parents lived on "Seinfeld?"
This is actually a pretty good match-up with a Marshall team that almost went undefeated. Of course, they did lose 67-66 to Western Kentucky which finally shut up some of their goofy fans who kept saying they deserved a spot in the championship. I've seen day old bread that is harder than their schedule. Not a single Big 5 conference team in the 12. I'll take the Huskies.
San Diego Co. Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Dec. 23 9:30pm Navy vs. San Diego State
-Should be a good crowd considering the location. I always like watching Navy and their triple option offense. Thought they were going to beat Notre Dame this year. I'll take the Middies even though SDSU will be favored.
Popeye's Bahamas Bowl - Dec. 24 12pm Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky
-Merry Chicken-mas! I do like some Popeye's chicken and their mashed potatoes and gravy are the best as fast food options go. Nice destination for the players, its been noted that the taxpayers of the Bahamas are getting soaked to pulled this game off. I'll take WKU, they're on a roll after putting 67 on Marshall. Did I mention I like Popeye's?
Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl - Dec. 24 8pm Fresno State vs. Rice
-Did you know the University of Hawai' played in the first Hawai'i Bowl, wining two of three? Me either, and I probably watched all three games. I'll catch a quarter before the scorn and dirty looks start on Christmas Eve. I'll take Rice, Fresno State is 6-7. Teams with losing records shouldn't be in bowl games even if there are 39 of them. ESPN will have some bland play by play guys calling this game when they could have these guys.
December 25th - no games. Stupid. Guys are tired of kids, presents and the noise of Christmas Day by about 2:30. Play that Miami Beach Bowl here.
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl - Dec. 26 1pm Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech
-Welcome back Illini. This is another game that would be a good candidate for Christmas Day. First appearance by the Big 10. Illinois coach Tim Beckman evidently saved his job with a 6-6 record and getting the team into this game. La. Tech takes this one. What's a Zaxby's? Southern fast food chain known for their chicken fingers.
Quick Lane Bowl - Dec. 26 4pm Rutgers vs. North Carolina
-The former Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. Now an oil change chain. Ford Field in Detroit should be pretty empty. I'll take Rutgers, still weird to have them in the Big 10. Just imagine the luster the Quick Lane trophy will bring to a school's trophy case.
Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl - Dec. 26 8pm North Carolina St. vs. Central Florida.
-Bitcoin replaces Beef 'O' Brady's, boo! We want Beef's back! I'm not even sure how bitcoin works, some weird online currency - is it even a real thing? Give me Central Florida just because I stayed up late and watched this game when they won a share of the AAC with this ridiculous play.
Possibly the worst Hail Mary coverage ever by East Carolina. One of the defenders is taking his helmet off as the ball arrives.
Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman - Dec. 27 1pm Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
-VT played an important part in the championship picture with their hard to imagine win over Ohio State. I still don't think the Buckeyes belong in the final four teams because of that loss at home. Anyhow, I saw U.C. twice this season, really fun team to watch. Give me the Bearcats for the win. I asked boy #1 (a U.C. student) if he knew anyone going to the game. He said who wants to go to Maryland in late December. Good point.
Hyundai Sun Bowl - Dec. 27 2pm Duke vs.Arizona State
-The only game ESPN can't get their hands on. The new schedule of games moves this one from New Years Eve Day to the Saturday after Christmas. I'm sure Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson appreciate that but who knows, maybe they wanted to go to the Wyndham El Paso Airport Blast From the Past New Year's Eve Party.
Duck Commander Independence Bowl - Dec. 27 3:30 Miami vs. South Carolina
-No doubt Uncle Si will be visiting the booth during the game. Good name match-up for the ABC marquee with two teams coming off massively underwhelming seasons. I'll take the Canes and their power running game with Duke Johnson. USC's defense stinks.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl - Dec. 27 4:30pm Boston College vs. Penn State
-Welcome back Nittany Lions. I'll take Penn State, their good defense should bail out their awful offense. Should be a low scoring affair and I do like this match-up, it goes back to Penn State's days as an independent and they play this game in Yankee Stadium.
National University Holiday Bowl - Dec. 27 8pm Nebraska vs. #24 Southern Cal
-Now this is an old school, big boy program match-up...if it were 1973. I don't like this game for the Huskers - fired their coach, players are agitated, fan base is stirred up and USC is pretty good. I'll take the Trojans. Wonder what Bo Pellini will be doing during the game? Probably hanging out with his cat.
That's five games on 12/27 - once again, Christmas Day, wide open.
Autozone Liberty Bowl - Dec. 29 2pm Texas A&M vs. West Virginia
-Lots of points in this one. Love this match-up of two teams that have never played before. This game may be one of the best games of BowlQuest. Furniture stores in Morgantown could have plenty of end of year sales if the Mountaineers win.
I'll take A&M although both teams played pretty lousy down the stretch.
Russell Athletic Bowl - Dec. 29 5:30pm Oklahoma vs. Clemson
-This is the destination game for teams with terribly disappointing seasons. The Sooners started the season ranked #4, and Clemson had a brutal early schedule although they would have found a way to lose three games no matter what. Give me the Sooners though, bounce back game.
Advocare V100 Texas Bowl - Dec. 29 9pm Texas vs. Arkansas
-I love what the bowl selection folks have done with these old school match-ups. If these teams won't play each other in the regular season, make 'em play a bowl game. Arkansas is on its way up, Texas stumbled around all season. Give me the Hogs. If you have an hour and a half, here you go - when rivalries were rivalries.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl - Dec. 30 3pm Notre Dame vs. #23 LSU
-I guess Les Miles doesn't want the Michigan job, otherwise he'd be gone by now and wouldn't be coaching in this matinee game. LSU crushes the turnover prone Irish who were awful in the second half of the season. Even Lou Holtz had to stop riding them when they lost to Northwestern. They're lucky to be 7-5, could have easily lost three other games. You don't want to miss the Tigers against the Irish in the hot wing eating competition the day prior to the game.
Belk Bowl - Dec. 30 6:30pm #13 Georgia vs. #21 Louisville
-This game's profile just took a few steps up. Another really good match-up and a tough pick but I'll take the Bulldogs - no idea how they lost to South Carolina or Florida. They Clemsoned almost harder than Clemson.
Foster Farms Bowl - Dec. 30 10pm Maryland vs. Stanford
-Ah, there you are 10pm kickoff. No idea what Foster Farms is, let me go check.
Chik-fil-A Peach Bowl - Dec. 31 12:30pm #9 Ole Miss vs. #6 TCU
-Hey, they brought back the Peach in the Peach Bowl. This was the nightcap on New Year's Eve but now moved to 12:30pm which makes no sense for this match-up. I also don't know how TCU went from being ranked third the week before the playoffs were announced to ranked sixth. This could be a classic, if you only watch a handful of games, make this one of them. Okay, the peach is back in the bowl, now go get this old logo back. I'll take the Rebels.
Vizio Fiesta Bowl - Dec. 31 4pm #20 Boise State vs. #10 Arizona
-Here's your one non power five conference team getting into one of the top six bowl games. The Fiesta Bowl was a New Year's Day staple but the new format moves it to the matinee on New Years Eve. Can't say I'm that interested in this match-up. I'll go Wildcats with practically a home game. I bet Michigan fans are wishing they gave RichRod a few more years.
Capital One Orange Bowl - Dec. 31 8pm #7 Mississippi St. vs. #12 Georgia Tech
-Both teams run the ball a lot so this one won't drag on until you're ready to open some champagne. If you haven't seen Miss. State quarterback Dak Prescott, check him out here before he goes pro. By the way, I think Michigan State fans were hoping to get picked for this game instead of the Cotton Bowl. New Years Eve in Miami sounds like a lot more fun than in suburban Dallas. Pick: Bulldogs in a close one.
Finally, New Year's Day and an end to this post in sight.
Outback Bowl - Jan. 1 12pm #19 Auburn vs. #18 Wisconsin
-If the Badgers couldn't stop the Ohio State running game, their going to have real problems with the Tigers. I've been thinking about Wisconsin a lot since they were blown out by the Buckeyes in the Big 10 championship game. How exactly did that happen? Maybe head coach Gary Andersen couldn't figure it out either and that's why he took off for the Oregon State job. Auburn big in this one.
As for the sponsor, Outback is promoting some sort of "holiday" steaks. What exactly does that mean? Are the steaks coated in candy canes? Stupid.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - 12:30pm #8 Michigan State vs. #5 Baylor
-One of the top 5 games of BowlQuest, and not just because I'm a Spartan. Should be a lot of offense in Jerry's World in Dallas. Michigan State will have to do with a home crowd atmosphere for the Bears plus Baylor is steaming about being left out of the playoff. I think (hope) the Spartans get enough big plays from their defense and can get the win. High scoring, 45-42 Michigan State.
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl - Jan. 1pm #16 Missouri vs. #25 Minnesota
-One game too many going on at the same time. This match-up should not be on New Years Day but its good to see another old bowl name come back. Other than their fan bases, this is as big a "who cares" game as you'll find on New Years Day. If they want to improve the image of this game, bring back the Tangerine Bowl logo. I'll take the Gophers in a "why not" pick.
-Without the playoff, we would not have this game and the opportunity to finally see Florida State take the beating they deserve. "Team Controversy" has dodged bullets all season to go undefeated. Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville, BC and Georgia Tech all had them beat and FSU came back - not this time. I like the Ducks by at least two touchdowns. Florida State and its forever in trouble QB Jameis Winston did inspire some pretty great ESPN Gameday signs.
Allstate Sugar Bowl - Jan. 1 8:30pm #1 Alabama vs. #4 Ohio State
-Beat down. Bama wins big. I'm not going to blather on about how I still don't think Ohio State belongs in this game because they're in it. This could be the highest rated college game in a long time, at least for the first half. You'll probably see this picture a few times before the game.
What a great day of college football on January 1st, there should only be one game left, right? Wrong. There are four freakin' games on January 2nd. Don't people have to go back to work?
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Jan. 2 12pm Houston vs. Pittsburgh
-Hey, a team I saw play in person, the Houston Cougars. Fun game with UC winning 38-31. Pittsburgh is likely looking for a new head coach with Paul Cryst going back to Wisconsin. Give me the Cougars in Texas. If you're going, make sure to check out Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band performing as part of Armed Forces Bowl festivities.
Taxslayer Bowl - Jan. 2 3:30pm Iowa vs. Tennessee
-What happened to the Gator Bowl? Now it's just Taxslayer? That's weak. Iowa fans are not happy with how their team performed down the stretch while its nice to see Tennessee get back in the bowl picture. I'll take the SEC here, Vols in a close one. Look for Dale Jr. driving his Taxslayer car onto the field.
Valero Alamo Bowl - Jan. 2 6:45pm #11 Kansas State vs. #14 UCLA
-This is a good match-up kind of buried at a weird day and time. It's the first match-up of top 15 teams in Alamo Bowl history. I got a B in Alamo Bowl history, by the way. I think Bill Snyder will have the Wildcats ready to go, so I'll take them.
Ticketcity Cactus Bowl - Jan.2 10:15pm Washington vs. Oklahoma State
-Why? Cowboys. I'll really be deeply regretting BowlQuest at this point.
Birmingham Bowl - Jan. 3 12pm East Carolina vs. Florida
-I guess even the folks at BBVA Compass didn't want this game any longer. East Carolina would be in a bigger game if it weren't for that play I posted above. Maybe the guy who took his helmet off will keep it on for the entire game. Florida has better talent, they win. At least Pittsburgh avoided playing in this game for about the eighth year in a row.
Go Daddy Bowl - Jan. 4 9pm Toledo vs. Arkansas State
-Just stop already. Ark. State, I guess.
National Championship Game - Jan. 12th 8:30pm _____ vs. ______
-I have Oregon vs. Alabama in what hopefully will be the best game of the year. Since I don't know for certain, not much else to say and I'm exhausted from writing this preview.
Bring on the games!!
I bet poorly and bought two tickets to the Orange Bowl. Debating on either trying to sell them at a loss or just go to the game.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that - was hoping the Spartans were headed to Miami too. My brother in law lives there and I can get free tickets from my company, we own WJR-AM. Just needed a flight.
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